Rising Phoenix

She was too embarrassed to continue as a deep blush crept over her face, but a vicious light still flashed in her eyes.

Prince Chu is promiscuous and there’s no way he’ll reject me. Wei Zhi, just wait! I will crush you beneath me!

Feng Zhiwei still stood by Old Man Yan, smiling down at him with her pot of liquor in hand. The old Family Patriarch struggled with himself, blue veins bulging from his face as he finally forced out the word: “Yes…”

Feng Zhiwei’s smile grew even larger.

She gently took Grandfather Yan’s hand, her voice sincere as she said: “The Yan Family truly has not disappointed…

A thin anger crossed Grandfather Yan’s gaze, but he immediately covered it with a bitter smile and a deep bow.

Feng Zhiwei eyed him, smiling. She would not push any further, so she took her pot and left; everyone had a bottom line, and if she forced too much, the loss would outweigh the gain and the old man might lose it.

Feng Zhiwei scrunched up her brows, her stomach uncomfortable after gulping down the raw seafood.

Suddenly, she felt a cold sting in her back and she immediately whipped around, but instead of an assassin she only saw a pair of fierce eyes staring right at her.

The Yan Family’s eldest Young Madam.

Feng Zhiwei calmly met her gaze and then calmly turned away; there was no way Feng Zhiwei would waste time staring down this woman, how could that be worth it?

As she turned away, a mischievous thought floated through her mind, and she immediately turned back, smiling as she lifted a cup and toasted the distant Yan Huaiying.

Everyone immediately turned their eyes and followed Feng Zhiwei’s gaze. The unexpected move caught Yan Huaiying by surprise, and before she could react everyone had already turned and saw her intense stare and her blushed face. Meaningful smiles filled the hall — oh to be young and in love. A young woman had fallen for the heroic young man.

How lovely, hehe.

Yan Huaiying looked around at the knowing expressions and she grew furious, her chest rising and falling from her extreme anger, especially because she had no way of explaining herself.

Just by raising a cup, without a single word, Feng Zhiwei had condemned the Yan Family Young Madam as her “admirer.”

Yan Huaiying’s lungs were about to explode, and Feng Zhiwei casually turned back and headed for her seat. Her stomach was feeling worse and worse, and she poured her self cup after cup of alcohol to try to suppress the discomfort.

Beside her, Yan Huaishi had recovered his cleverness and wit, and was chatting easily with the other important men at the table. Every time one of the Five Family Heads tried to bring up the founding of the new department, Yan Huaishi would casually block the attempt.

As the sky grew late, the Huang Family Head’s anxiety overcame him and he directly said: “Your Honor, once the new department is founded there will be much work. Even though my Huang Family is humble, we do have useful men and are willing to make every effort to aid Your Honor.”

The great landowning Shangguan Family immediately cut in: “I don’t know whether Your Honor has decided where he will build the new department? If Your Honor has his eyes set on any parcel of land, the Shangguan Family will put in every effort to satisfy your desire!”

The Chen and Li Families also hurriedly offered up their human, material, and financial resources. Feng Zhiwei listened to everything, a small half smile on her face as she held her liquor. She nodded attentively, but kept silent until the last word had been said. Finally, she calmly replied:

“This Minister is grateful that the Family Heads have so earnestly offered their help without consideration for personal loss or gain. I am moved by your patriotic hearts, and after returning to Dijing, I will inform the Emperor and request that the meritorious contributions of the South Sea Families be recognized by the court.”

The Family Heads were very happy, and Feng Zhiwei continued:

“This Minister is principally in charge of our relations with the local government. All detailed matters of the new founding can be negotiated with my brother Yan Huaishi.”

The Family Heads’ excitement was quickly doused and they immediately turned and shared stunned glances. The Shangguan Family Head was the most short-tempered, and his face was already red with drink as he cocked an eyebrow and said: “You want us to deal with that little bastard…”

He had only spoken half his words when the Li Family Head pulled on his sleeve. The Shangguan Family Head immediately realized what he had done and snapped his mouth shut, but Feng Zhiwei had already heard.

Her expression did not change, but her gaze deepened.

Bastard. Such a vicious word. Yan Huaishi’s background was clearly more complicated than she had imagined.

Had Yan Huaishi been carrying around the weight and persecution since his birth?

“Mister Shangguan!” Feng Zhiwei called back, her voice finally shifting out of her calm composure. Setting down her wine, she coldly and weightily rebuked him: “You have drunk too much!”

The Shangguan Family Head anxiously stood and was about to bow and apologize, but Feng Zhiwei had already stood with a silent Yan Huaishi and was turned from the table. “We’re done here.”

Everyone hurriedly stood as Feng Zhiwei decisively walked away. The Family Heads awkwardly bid Grandfather Yan farewell, and the rest of the Yan Family Main Branch escorted their important guests to the gates before assembling in the front yard.

Grandfather Yan was silent as Yan Wenhong sighed deeply. After a while, Yan Wenhong said: “When he said he was leaving for Dijing, I thought he was just fooling around and even thought it was good that he was leaving. I never imagined that the kid was so wily, securing the support of a powerful minister. The heaven’s ways are greater than man’s.”

Grandfather Yan pondered deeply and then sighed again. “He has great backing and his boldness has grown. I thought that with the Chen Family’s bi*ch and his woman in our hands, he would have known to step back, but it looks like he’s forcing a life and death struggle. Truly, if he secures the position of Family Head, the threat we now pose will amount to nothing.”

“Grandfather! Are you really going to make him Family Head?” The Yan Family gasped in shock. “Impossible! Everyone in South Sea knows about him! If that bastard becomes our Family Head, he will shame the entire history of our Yan Family! He will destroy our family!”

“Can we just delay the matter, father?” Yan Wenhong suggested. “When the Imperial Envoy leaves, what can he be proud of?”

Grandfather Yan turned to his second son, disappointed. His son was not even as decisive as his grandson! As his mind wandered, he thought back to his estranged eldest son and his heart began to ache. The old man coughed, and then finally said: “You are being foolish! When the Imperial Envoy leaves, he will leave behind the new department! When the time comes to bestow the title of nobility, the Imperial Court will defer to the local director. As long as Yan Huaishi is director, the Yan Family Head must be him!”

Stunned expressions filled the faces of everyone present, but Yan Huaiyuan suddenly stepped forward and leaned in beside Grandfather Yan’s ear.

As he listened, the old Patriarch’s face turned from astonishment to bitter acceptance. He turned and stared at the quiet, downturned face of Yan Huaiying, and then looked out at his worried family. Finally, he sighed and murmured: “This is the only option left…”

Yan Huaiyuan sighed in happy relief, but as soon as he turned to his blushing little sister his face was filled with grief and tears.

“His Highness will surely accept our Yan Family’s noble Young Madam as his concubine…” Grandfather Yan sighed as he spoke. “You are right. Great ambition cannot allow itself to stumble on these trifles. Our Yan Family’s hundred year tradition… Huaiying… We have failed you.”